- Defense of Actions in Managing SAT: Patricia de Lille affirmed her decisions in overseeing South African Tourism, emphasizing they were lawful and aimed at safeguarding public funds.
- Dissolution of SAT Board and Financial Savings: In April 2023, she dissolved the SAT board during a sponsorship scandal, which resulted in saving R1 billion by curbing irregular spending, with subsequent investigations recommending disciplinary actions.
- Challenges with New SAT Board and Leadership Issues: The newly appointed board in February 2024 faced issues such as overspending, resignations of key officials, and unresolved vacancies, raising governance concerns.
- Unlawful Conduct and Governance Concerns in 2025: De Lille highlighted alleged unlawful actions by the board, including improper appointments and payments, and her efforts to ensure governance integrity despite ongoing disputes.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has defended her actions in overseeing South African Tourism (SAT), telling the Tourism Portfolio Committee that her decisions have consistently been guided by law and the need to protect public funds.
She recalled dissolving the SAT board in April 2023 during the Tottenham Hotspurs sponsorship debacle, which saved R1 billion in irregular spending. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) later found misconduct and recommended certain board members be declared delinquent. De Lille has since asked the President for a proclamation to recover funds and pursue prosecutions. Two SAT employees implicated in the report have been suspended.
In February 2024, a new board was appointed but its chair and deputy were removed after overspending on meetings, using R900,000 of a R1.44 million budget in six months. Both resigned and are challenging her decision in court. Governance concerns worsened when the CFO resigned in August 2024, leaving critical vacancies still unfilled despite reminders to the board in April, June, and July 2025.
In August 2025, De Lille raised concerns about unlawful actions by the board, such as appointing a so-called “board representative” with the powers of a chairperson, authorising irregular payments of more than R120,000, and ignoring governance rules. She also dismissed claims that she protected the CEO, explaining that she had asked for more details and consulted the Public Service Minister before taking any steps.
Assuring stability, De Lille said a six-member interim team is now steering SAT until a permanent board is appointed. She closed by reaffirming her commitment to accountability, the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, and her oath to the Constitution.
